The winery of Luigi Reale was a real discovery. Located in the village of Gete in the larger commune of Tramonti a few winding miles from the sea, Azienda Agricola Reale Andrea, is situated on a very steep 2.5 hectares on two small plots. The elevation is roughly 450-500 meters / 1500 feet, which makes the microclimate much cooler than at the coast.

The varieties grown are local and often rare: Biancazita, Biancolella and Pepella for the white; Piedirosso and Tintore for the reds and the rosato. Granted, Biancolella and Piedirosso aren't rare in Campania, but the others are.

Luigi is ardent in his affection for Tintore, which is a subvariety of Aglianico. Its perfume and its flavor, with some time in bottle, are reminiscent of Burgundy - reminiscent, that is, not a sort of faux-Burgundy. Reale's wines aren't trying to be a version of anything else. But the best can evoke associations with other wines that possess complexity and age-worthiness.